Marketing TextIllimited provides the opportunity to learn languages through its easy-to-use, flexible, and inexpensive e- and m-learning software platform: the Altsolem House.

SummaryWithin the EU Leonardo da Vinci project
"Altsolem" we set out in 2005 with the objective to develop easy-to-use, flexible, authorable, and inexpensive e- and m-learning software for language training. Our two year work resulted in the creation of the Altsolem House. In the follow-up project "Illimited" (2007 - 2009), we are focusing on adding
Estonian and Spanish language versions, increasing the number of available tools, improving userfriendliness, training pepole how to best make use of it, and spreading information about it.

DescriptionILLIMITED is the continuation of the Leonardo da Vinci project ALTSOLEM, which created the Altsolem House, an online community-based learning environment for language teachers in applied contexts integrated in an adapted version of the open source Moodle content learning management system. It should be stressed that this is not a traditional e-learning platform: it has been developed for blended learning purposes, i.e. the combination of face-to-face teaching and use of e-learning, which has proven to be a more effective strategy how to make use of information and communication technologies in language learning (ICT).
Cooperation between experts in ICT and pedagogues has ensured that the Altsolem House is innovative and addresses core needs of language tutors, who are interested to enrich their teaching with new technologies:
- It offers quality and in-depth ICT tools, instead of a quantity of fragmented resources;
- Its use is free and it is available in 7 language versions including a number of minor languages;
- It includes ‘m-learning’ activities, i.e. it elaborates how mobile devices such as mp3 players, mobile phones or digital cameras can be integrated into language learning settings;
- It offers substantial guidance and is community based which ensures the link to other practitioners and enables the sharing of experiences and best practise.

Product Typesopen and distance learningteaching materialwebsitematerial for open learning

Product informationThe main product is the Altsolem House, a place full of ideas for using e- and m-learning materials to enhance language teaching. People can find out how to use the tools to create activities and courses, and give them a try. There are lots of examples to look at and to help people get started. Teachers can invite students to the courses and see how they progress. They can chat with other colleagues about interests, or chat with
students to keep them on track. The House is accessible in English, German, Bulgarian,
Latvian, Estonian, Spanish, and Italian.

ADAM, the Project and Product Portal for Leonardo da Vinci is funded by the European Commission, DG Education and Culture. The information in the ADAM portal is provided by the beneficiaries' organisations and is the sole responsibility of those organisations. The National Agencies as well as the Commission declines all responsibility regarding this information, particularly regarding its accuracy and its respect to copyright. (DVR: 4000157)